Why would anyone want a Hedgehog?

snr-j · 04-26-2004, 10:17 PM

"Why would anyone want a Hedgehog?"

I get asked this question at the Pet-Store atleast once or twice a day ... the people who ask obvious don't know we have 5 of the little critters ... I usually tell them the exotic'ness is very appealing (in the sense that they are so different then a hamster or a cat), the face is too cute to resist ... and their personalities are so wonderfully random.

What attracts you people to your little quilly friends?

LoveGun · 04-26-2004, 10:26 PM

Well, I don't own a hedgie of my own, but of all the one's I've ever met, I'd say that it's because they're so sweet, so cute, and just soooo much fun. Plus, you're right, the exoticness has to do with it alot. Hamsters are (no offense to anyone) kinda boring, although they are cute. And cats are also wonderful, but so snotty, and so uncaring (ie not cuddly or anything).

fertmom · 04-27-2004, 08:49 AM

I think one of the things that appealed to us when we first were considering hedgies for pets is that they are relatively easy to care for. Our first hedgehog, Prickles was litter trained and ate kibble. Other than a wheel and a hidey place they don't "require" alot. Our house is always warm enough, so that was never a problem. Of course those are just minimum requirements, and they are spoiled with mealies and cooked chicken and daily out of cage time and toys and stuff (which they don't really use). The way ours interact with us was really a bonus. Prickles was a really grumpy pet store hedgie and we still got 3 more after he passed, but from a breeder and their temperments were soooooo much better that holding and playing with them was actually fun. I always thought they were so interesting and cute to watch.

michelle · 04-27-2004, 11:43 AM

One of the major factors of hedgehog appeal is that they are hypo-allergenic. There are so many people out there that want a small pet, but they or someone in their families have allergies or asthma.

michelle · 04-27-2004, 12:01 PM

Recently I have noticed that a large number of people who are drawn to hedgehogs are European. Even though pet hedgehogs are African, Hedgehogs are largely popular because of the European folklore, and also the relationship that hedgehogs have established with humans in Europe. When I take my hedgies out for a walk in the park, I often get approached by tourists and immigrants from Germany, Poland, England, etc., that are absolutely thrilled to learn that you can keep hedgehogs as pets. They tell me all these stories about hedgehogs in their backyards that would come out at night and eat from a little bowl of food they left out, or about an abandoned nest of hedgehog babies they took in and raised. Children will tell me about books they read starring hedgehogs, like Beatrix Potter's books or Alice in Wonderland. Owning a hedgehog to some people is like owning your own storybook character. Their quills make them special because they are almost like an animal that you would invent for a fictional story. It's like having a unicorn almost. I've heard them best described as 'enchanting'. I think it's hard for some North Americans to understand the history behind hedgehogs and what makes them so appealing. A lot of people just look at them and go "hey its Sonic the Hedgehog!" But that stupid Sega game really doesn't do hedgehogs justice, it just makes people believe that the spines are violent or dangerous.

neuroleptical · 04-27-2004, 12:42 PM

I am drawn to having a hedgie because of the cuteness & the ease of care (although scraping poop off things isn't that fun!!)

snr-j · 04-27-2004, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelle

A lot of people just look at them and go "hey its Sonic the Hedgehog!" But that stupid Sega game really doesn't do hedgehogs justice, it just makes people believe that the spines are violent or dangerous.

I hope you don't take offense at my avatar Michelle

We've actually been in contact with a couple who used to live in New Zealand, and wanted a Hedgehog because they used to play with them in the wild. I think it would be wondeful to go to Africa or New Zealand and find a wild Hedgehog family or something ... maybe I can hint at Discovery for a new documentary.

pamm013 · 04-27-2004, 07:43 PM

I think that maybe people go off of their first impressions.. I know that when I seen one for the first time.. the lady was holding it and it rolled into the ball and huffed the whole time... every once in awhile peeking out just barely... Im sure that if I had more time to spend with it that I may have realized its great qualitys!!!

LoveGun · 04-27-2004, 08:02 PM

Hey Michelle, that's not fair!

Sonic is awesome, I love that game. I like the bowling part, where him and Tails race... speaking of which, was Tails supposed to be a squirrel? That always confused me (I haven't played since I was about 9).

michelle · 04-28-2004, 01:34 AM

I like playing Sonic the hedgehog, and I think it's great that they actually made a hedgehog action hero, I just hate how it makes people think that hedgehogs can roll up into a ball an charge at stuff, or that they're the "fastest thing alive" (like sonic's theme song). I know that some of my hedgehogs like to think that they are the fastest thing alive when they are running on their wheels, but its just another misconception that I have to try to deal with when explaining hedgehogs to people. Also, I hate when I'm trying to do research on hedgehogs and I go to the library or bookstore and do a search, and the few real books on hedgehogs are all mixed in with the hundreds of books about sonic and sega games.
P.S. I always thought that tails was supposed to be a fox, but Im not sure.